.357 mag levergun recommendations?

The puma is a better buy and a better rifle IMO. The Winchester is no longer available, I would consider the Puma 2nd to that. Don't have experience with Henery's, but I hear they are good.

If you can find one, I reccomend the winchester 94. I have several of them in 357, 44, 45 colt, 30-30, and 444 marlin . All of them will hold an inch at 50 yards with iron sights if I do my part. I do have a marlin in 41 mag, only because winchester never made one. It's a nice gun for sure, but it's heavier and wider bodied than I like in a lever action.

The reason I like the winchesters over the marlins is thier handling characteristics. The winchesters are lighter and quicker handling. And, at least IME, they are very accurate.

The pumas I've seen are hit and miss. They are either very well put together and smooth, or really rough. So just be careful in your selection if you go with one.

Marlin vs Puma
I own several Italin made revolvers and a model 92 copy,and NONE of them are as good looking on the inside as on the outside,and that's a fact.The metalurgy is just not as good as an American made gun.

Marlins run and feed remarkably well,and the only jams I"ve see at cowboy matches were from 1.trying to run short ammo to up the round count, or
2. Loose screws..they are machined and fitted tight.

I also have a Win. model 94 in .357.It's okay,but a loooooong lever throw for a short roud.

If I had it to do over again,I"d go Marlin,and will when funds allow.

This is a good place for me to ask a question I've asked before, but only got a partial answer on.

My wife wants a .357 lever with pistol grip instead of straight grip (and if you don't understand what that means in this context, please don't make any assumptions or comments).

I don't think anyone currently makes one.

Did anyone ever?

If not, someone suggested getting two levers--one pistol grip, one straight .357, and swapping parts. I also considered welding/machining the receiver tang and replacing the stock.

Anyone got useful input?

Thanks

I'd imagine a straight-to-pistol grip lever would be complicated.

I know a company or two that makes aftermarket levers, but most lever guns I've seen, the receiver metal extends to the tang and under the lever. This metal would need to be bent/curved. I'd imagine that's a skilled process that would require a pro.

Puma 92's are made in south America if I'm not mistaken, and I vote Puma, because my .357 Puma 92 is pretty sweet shooter. Wood, and fit are excellent.

SGW: My Marlin 336 is investment cast. Assuming the 94C is the same, I could build up underneath, then reblue, buy a replacement lever and stock from the factory.

Someone else suggested buying the 94C straight grip and just swapping out parts as needed between the two. That seems doable, assuming compatibility between receivers.

I have a 94 in .357 and love it, that said if I had the money right now I'd buy a puma. I just like the action of the 92 a lot more than the 94 or the Marlin... Try em all out and see what you like!

I don't mean to hijack, but how can I tell who manufactured my 1866? It has Navy Arms stamps, but nothing else.

Uberti I imagine.

I have a Marlin 1894C in .357 which is quite accurate with the factory sights and has never jammed once with any .38spl or .357 I've fed it. I've generally heard nothing but good things about the Puma as well and wouldn't have any qualms about buying one.

"Classic" Puma

Well, I've had mine for 10 or 12 years now, and it's fine by me. One of the earlier posts mentioned a cheesy safety that doesn't exist on mine.

I know that a lot of these gun manufacturers have gone through cycles of good and bad quality, just like auto makers. I'd be very tempted if I was in no hurry to wander the gun show circuit awhile. You might get lucky and find a nice deal on one that's been lightly used then traded on an AR or something.

The older Puma's just fine, BUT if you want to mount a scope - I'd go Marlin. Puma ejects straight up and isn't rigged for easy scope mounting.

ive got a rossi puma which is, i think, just like jjohnson's (the one with octogonal barrel)and it WILL jam once in a while... that being said, it will only happen in given circumstances like if you try to feed wadcutters from the mag to the canon and i've had some troubles with some .38 when i "pump" for the next bullet sometimes it'll come up pointing upwards instead of pointing straight where its headed but ive only had this problem with reload .38's(go figure why, balance of the bullet maybe)

I've got an EMF Hartford (Rossi) in 45Colt and would recommend it to anyone. Great gun.

Have only had one jam with a short cycle (my fault) in over 1500 rounds.

I like the Puma/Rossi (Winchester 92 copy) because it's smaller/lighter/handier. But if you want to scope it, get the Marlin. Even a Williams FP sight requires a drill & tap with the Pumas. If you like the stock irons, though, the Pumas are nice and will go to work. I have two of the Pumas and am very pleased.

Was in a couple gun shops this morning There were several Puma .357s to be had. Lots of Marlin 30-30s, also found Marlin in 44mag and 45 and 45-70 but I guess you just don't run across the Marlin .357 easily.

Puma 357 - Only a Wadcutter Will Jam.

Oh, I like mine - see previous post - but yes, mine too will jam only on occasion and only with wadcutters. I didn't mention that because I figured it was my mistake - it wasn't made for wadcutters. I have never had that sort of failure with RN, RNFP, RNHP, or SWC bullets. I figure the rifle wasn't designed for wadcutters, so to me, it'd be unfair to be negative about it. My guess is that the Brownings, Winchesters, Marlins and others would have the same problem.

Microgroove vs ballard rifling

I've been reading up a little as I research the 357 cal rifle. Is it true the microgroove rifling actually generated accuracy problems so Marlin went back to ballard rifling for these barrels?

I have been following this thread…
My next gun will also be a.357 levergun. I am going between the Marlin 1894c and a 92 clone, probably an EMF Hartford. All of the factors (for which I am probably over analyzing) are bogging me down concerning micro groove vs ballard, ability to cycle 38s and 357s, quality of sights, quality of fit and finish, price, ect…..
Its just getting to be a little much. At this point, I will most likely get whatever they got at the store with the best price when I go in to buy one. At the bottom line, I guess I am kind of weary of buying a non-American gun. Every gun I have ever bought was made here in the USA.

Oh and one more thing…
Are the sights on the EMF different than the Puma’s???
I would like to know about the differences between the two.
Thanks a bunch

I dont mean to change direction of the thread here, if i did...

I'm interested in one of these guns also, I think it would be a great companion for my SP101. My concerns are the cycling .38spl ammo and if the difference in rifling is really a big deal or not. I'm leaning toward a Marlin personally.

There is no problem cycling 38spl...just don't use wadcutters(where the bullet is flush with the end of the casing).

Blackbird, which gun are you speaking of? the 92 or the Marlin?